When is a contractor not a contractor? Roel Gevaers, Professor in Last Mile Logistics and Supply Chain, University of Antwerp, discusses proposed legislation that will directly impact postal and delivery contractors:
- Background to proposed legislation targetting sham contracting / false self-employment
- Legislation only focuses on postal and parcel delivery drivers
- BIPT (postal regulator) will administer the legislation, meaning gig economy platforms are exempt
- Obligations on every postal or parcel company to monitor contractors / sub contractors
- Delivery sector needs to crack down on illicit behaviour
- Workload on BIPT
- Should existing legislation be better enforced rather than introducing new legislation?
- Different contracting models, including vehicle ownership, and work for other carriers
- How the legislation could change the contractor relationship
- Broad-based opposition to the legislation
- Impact on last mile costs
- Will delivery companies base themselves in The Netherlands to avoid compliance with Belgian legislation?
- Will the legislation in its current form protect workers from exploitation?
- Heightened interest in electrifying delivery fleets
